22 WANDEfilNGS OF A 



first is common in rice-fields, streams, and river-banks ; the 

 two latter are not so plentiful ; the Indian kingfisher is a 

 tenant of gardens and pools. On the hroad tops of peepul, 

 acacia, and mango trees, the lark-heeled cuckoo or Malabar 

 crow {Oentropus rufipennis, lUig.) perches ; grasshoppers and 

 coleopterous insects constitute its favourite food. These 

 birds startle one, while passing under a tree, by the flapping 

 of their large fan-shaped wings; their flight is a sort of 

 sailing motion, which, with the expansive taU, makes them 

 appear much larger than they are in reality. Frequentiag 

 like situations may often be seen the beautiful Indian 

 roller {Goracias indica), it sports from one tree-top to another 

 with a peculiar zig-zag flight ; butterflies and large insects 

 are its favourite food, and are caught on wing. Flocks of the 

 black-headed finch (Hmheriza melanoeephala, Sykes) are com- 

 mon ; it is dispersed over the fields during harvest, but dis- 

 appears soon afterwards. Eock-pigeons {Colurriba lima) con- 

 gregate in the deep wells, in the sides of which they breed. 

 The natives capture them by suddenly throwing a net over 

 the mouth of the well. There is no variety in the wUd bird, 

 and although the tame pigeons feed in the fields, the two do 

 not appear to associate. By the sides of hedges, ia gardens 

 and way-sides, the Senegal dove (Columba scTiegalensis) is fre- 

 quently observed. It passes the greater part of the day on 

 the ground, but is often seen likewise on trees. In dissecting 

 and preparing the skins of this species (in fact Columbidse in 

 general), great care should be taken to remove the fat from 

 the skin of the back and sides, else the feathers will be sure 

 to drop out. 



The tailor-bird (Orthotomics longicauda), with its curiously- 

 fashioned nest, displaying most marvellous skiQ and care, 

 is plentiful in groves and gardens, where it may be seen 



